Page 86 of Mayhem

He presses his forehead to mine. “Never.”

Then he leans forward, pressing a kiss to my forehead.

Laying my head on his shoulder, I let myself relax. For once, I can rely on someone else. It feels nice.

When a yawn escapes me, Chase chuckles.

“Don’t laugh. I didn’t sleep well last night,” I murmur.

“Me either,” he admits softly.

Pulling back, I meet his eyes. “Will you take a nap with me?”

His answering smile is sweet.

“Of course.”

Standing, he grabs my hand to help me up. When he pulls back the covers, I pause.

“I’m all sweaty. I should take a shower.”

He shakes his head. “I’ll wash the bedding. You need sleep. Come on.”

He slides into bed first, pulling me down beside him. I let him move my body to where he wants it. When I’m on my side, facing away from him, my body pressed up against him without a sliver of space between us, I finally settle.

As my mind drifts off, I swear I feel a feather-like brush against the back of my neck. Then whispered words.

It sounds an awful lot like words I’ve never heard before.

I love you.

Sixteen

A tinglein my upper thigh stirs me from blissful sleep. It takes me a moment to realize what caused it.

Giving myself a moment to get my bearings, I mentally consider where I am.

My face is on a hard, warm surface that moves with each breath. The steady beat of a heart can be heard from my ear pressed against his body. My eyes peek open, confirming that I am currently sprawled across Chase.

While my head is laying on his chest, my leg is draped across his middle, his right hand trailing his fingers up and down the back of my upper thigh. Now that I’m fully awake, the throbbing between my legs is more pronounced. Each swipe of his hand causes an electric current straight to my core.

A slight tug on my head diverts my attention momentarily. His left hand is buried in my hair, stroking my head while playing with each strand.

When his right hand flitters dangerously close to my center, I gasp.

He freezes momentarily before leaning down to press a kiss to the top of my head. Then his hands go back to their lazy petting.

“I’d say good morning, but it’s evening.” The deep timbre of his voice only adds to my heightened senses.

Between the feelings he’s invoking in my body, the vibration of his voice, and the smell of tobacco and the woodsy smell that is uniquely him, my body is on high alert.

I open my eyes, taking in the room. The daylight is now muted, the sun setting behind the blinds.

“How long have you been awake?” My voice is soft. Delicate. It doesn’t even sound like me.

“A while.”

I peek up at him from my position on his chest. “Why didn’t you wake me?”

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